Newsletter #198

November 18, 2002

Greetings Accumulators!

***Note to Accumulators: I began this letter on Friday afternoon, but had to rush off to the gala weekend birthday celebration of the lovely Ellen Sussman. My intentions were good - my schedule was too tight. Fun party, though.

So, Osama is alive and they think he's had plastic surgery. Too bad they can't fix the ugly on the inside.

FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF THIS JUST IN
Two items here: that Montel Show I did is being aired again this Wednesday. November 20. In NYC that will be at 9AM on Fox Channel 5. Elsewhere, you have to check your local TV listings. I think it's worth seeing. It's a pretty funny show. Hey, my name actually appeared in the Starr Report celebrity gossip column in yesterday's New York Post. In bold no less.

The other item: A press release that I'm a little embarrassed about passing along here, but I promised to put it in the Newsletter. Here it is:

November 16
The Association of Online Appraiser Announces New President
Judith Katz-Schwartz has replaced David Maloney, ISA CAPP, AOA CM as
President of the Assoc. of Online Appraisers (AOA). Mrs. Katz-Schwartz, a
well-known dealer and author, has appeared in the capacity of an appraiser
on numerous TV shows including Personal FX , Treasures in Your Home, the
Montel Williams show, and the Sally Jessy Raphael Show. In addition, Judith
is the author of "Protecting Your Collectible Treasures: Secrets Of a
Collecting Diva" (Martingale, 2001) and has been an appraiser for the
popular online appraisal service, Ask the Appraiser (CollectingChannel.com),
since its inception in 1999.
The AOA has also announced three new board members: Yvonne Tucker (Antiques
& Collectibles Dealer Association), Ina Steiner (Auctionbytes.com), and
Phillip Davies (TIAS.com). Mr. Maloney, author of "Maloney's Antiques &
Collectibles Resource Directory" (Krause, 2001) will continue to serve the
AOA in the capacities of board member and Sec./Treas. Kathy Kamnikar
(Antique Networking, Inc.) also continues to serve as a member of the board
of directors.
About the AOA: The Association of Online Appraisers establishes and
maintains standards of practice and ethical conduct for those offering
appraisals over the Internet. Membership is open to would-be as well as
established appraisers. Dues are $60 per year and entitles the member to
access the popular 550+ page "Complete Online Course in Personal Property
Appraising." For more information, go to www.AOAonline.org or call
301-228-2279.
###
For additional information, please contact:
David Maloney
301-228-2279
dave@maloney.com
Assoc. of Online Appraisers
P.O. Box 2049
Frederick, MD 21702

So, everyone write to Dave and tell him what a great press release he writes!

OKAY, NOW ON TO THE FUN STUFF DEPARTMENT
I know you have been spending the last several weeks asking yourself, "How can I live another day without knowing how much that big glob of Elvis' hair sold for at auction?" Just admit it. You'll feel better. Because the auction results are in. The winning bidder paid $115,120 for a big mound of the dead guy's clippings. They haven't announced the name of the winning bidder. He's probably too embarrassed to come forward, and no wonder, what with him having paid the highest price ever for someone's used hair. Ah, but this is America. Maybe he'll hawk it on eBay, one strand at a time. No extra charge for Elvis' cooties.

TOY SAVES ITS OWN LIFE
I don't know - it really seems as if the best stories come from England. Just another reason amongst many to love the Brits. A Buzz Lightyear toy in Hereford recently solved its own kidnapping, resulting in the capture of the pepetrator. The perp, one Shaun Anthony Markey, 27, shoplifted a battery operated Buzz Lightyear from a Woolworth's store. Yes, I know what you're thinking: "Wow! They still have Woolworth's in England! When's the next Concorde leaving?" But I digress, and so do you, so stop it. Markey fled the store, and hid under the Great Western Way bridge on the south side of the city. Along came a phalanx of police officers and their dog, searching for the hapless robber. Okay, I know what you're thinking now. "Hereford is not exactly the crime capital of the world, is it? A guy steals one Buzz Lightyear and the whole force, along with the K-9 Corps, turns out to find him. Just like New York!" These digressions are getting mighty lengthy. Pay attention! So, just as the police were about to give up on old Shaun, Buzz Lightyear announced at the top of his little battery-operated lungs, "BUZZ LIGHTYEAR, PERMISSION TO ENGAGE!" Buzz, as we all know, of course, is normally assigned to protect the galaxy from the threat of invasion by the Evil Emperor Zurg, the sworn enemy of the Galactic Alliance. And thank goodness for that! He must be pretty good at it too, because there have been no Zurg sightings around here for ages. Well, several officers, and the dog, of course, heard Buzz's comment, and the rest is history. Markey pleaded guilty on November 8 at Hereford Magistrate's Court, and will be sentenced on December 11th. Buzz Lightyear has gone back to guarding the stack of Mr. Potato Heads on the third shelf from the left.

Tally ho, there, Accumulators! Must catch up on all the work I left behind on Friday. Columns due. Bills to pay. Curricula to write. You all have a swell week. Happy hunting!
Best,
Judith